State Aid: Commission Approves Public Funding for Five Ferry Connections Between Croatian Islands and Mainland

European Commission - Press release State aid: Commission approves public funding for five ferry connections between Croatian islands and mainland Brussels, 12 July 2018 The public funding will contribute to the connectivity and development of the islands without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "For citizens living on Croatian islands, a connection to the mainland is essential. So I'm happy that we are approving public support for ferry connections ensuring the link between five Croatian islands and the rest of Croatia not only during the peak tourist season in the summer, but throughout the year." The Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Croatia's plan to grant public service compensation for the operation of five ferry routes serving passengers and vehicles between: - Preko on the Island of Ugljan, the Island of Ošljak and Zadar/Gaženica on the mainland, - Tkon on the Island of Pašman and Biograd on the mainland, - Sućuraj on the Island of Hvar and Drvenik on the mainland, and - Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar and Split on the mainland. The public support will be granted to maritime companies, which will be selected through public tenders organised by the Agency for Coastal Lines and Maritime Traffic (Agencija za obalni linijski pomorski promet). The overall budget for the public service compensation is HRK 249.2 million (€ 33.8 million). The public support will cover the difference between revenues from ferry tickets and the cost of operating the ferries regularly so as to allow the islands' inhabitants to commute daily to work or study, as well as to transport vehicles and supplies to and from the islands. The Commission assessed the measures under EU State aid rules on services of general economic interest (SGEI) and EU rules on maritime cabotage. The Commission found that the State aid will contribute to the connectivity and to the social and economic development of the islands. The aid is necessary to ensure operation of the routes with adequate frequencies over the whole year, since ticket revenues exceed the cost of the ferry operations only during the summer peak season. Background EU State aid rules allow Member States to grant aid in the form of SGEI compensation for maritime links to islands aimed at ensuring territorial continuity and improving the living standard of the islands' inhabitants. State aid for maritime links to islands with average annual traffics above 300 000 passengers must be notified to the Commission, prior to their implementation, for an assessment of their compatibility under the SGEI Framework. The Commission verifies, among other criteria, that the aid is granted to a service meeting a real public need which could not be delivered by market forces without this aid. Moreover, the Commission assesses whether the parameters for compensation are set out in advance, the aid is limited to the minimum necessary and the service provider is selected in line with public procurement rules. The non-confidential versions of the decisions will be published under the case numbers SA.48119, SA.48120 and SA.49523 in the State Aid Register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. The State Aid Weekly e-News lists new publications of state aid decisions on the internet and in the EU Official Journal. IP/18/4482 Press contacts: Ricardo CARDOSO (+32 2 298 01 00) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email.

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